The U.S. Embassy in Koror accepts passport applications, but does not issue passports or make decisions about citizenship claims; the Honolulu Passport Agency performs these functions. The Embassy does not issue immigrant visas, that function is performed by the U.S. Embassy Manila, Philippines

If you are a U.S. citizen visiting Palau for one year or less, you do not need a visa. To visit Palau, you must have a passport valid for at least six months at the time of entry. This requirement does not apply to United States military personnel traveling or visiting Palau on official business.

U.S. Military Personnel

U.S. military personnel must present official orders or documents certifying their status.

U.S. military dependents ten years or older must have a U.S. Government-issued photo-ID card showing the name, date of birth, and their status.

Dependents under ten years will be granted entry if they are listed in the official orders.

There is currently a departure tax and green fee totaling 50 USD. Cholera and yellow fever immunizations are required for those arriving from infected areas.

Crime: Although the crime rate in Palau is relatively low, you might be the target of petty and sometimes violent crime as well as other random acts against individuals and property. Please stay alert for your personal safety and protect your valuables.

Call us in Washington at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

In Palau, certain sites require prior permission and/or payment of a fee prior to visiting or taking photographs. Signs are posted at the relevant sites, and an attendant may be present to collect the fee. Driving under the influence of alcohol could land you immediately in jail.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our webpage for further information.

Unexploded ordnance: Unexploded ordnance from World War II (UXO) remains a problem in Palau. Although the majority of the land-based UXO is found on the island of Peleliu, UXO can be found almost on any island in Palau. Underwater UXO may also present a threat. Tourists are advised to heed all warnings on areas that might be affected.

Currency: The official currency of Palau is the U.S. dollar. Major credit cards, including Visa and Mastercard, are accepted in most locations catering to tourists. American Express is not widely accepted. There are several ATMs in Koror at the branches of local U.S. banks.

Curfew: Koror State, where most tourist facilities are located, may enforce a curfew between 2:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., Monday through Thursday, and between 4:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., Friday to Sunday, and on national holidays.

Firearms: Firearms of any kind are strictly prohibited in Palau. The penalty for possession of a firearm or ammunition is up to 15 years imprisonment. Palau customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Palau of certain other items. You should contact the Embassy of Palau in Washington, D.C., for specific information regarding customs requirements.

LGBTI Travelers: There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events in Palau. As of 2014, Palau’s Penal Code no longer criminalizes private, consensual sexual activity of an “unnatural manner” between adults. There are no legal or governmental impediments to the organization of LGBT events. Palau’s constitution defines marriage as between a man and a woman. For more detailed information about LGBT rights in Palau, you may review the State Department’s annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. Seeour LGBTI Travel Information page and section 6 of the Department of State's Human Rights report for further details.

Persons with Mobility Issues. Palau’s overall accessibility for the disabled is very limited. While many buildings have ramps to facilitate persons with disabilities, others do not. There is no public transportation equipped to transport persons on wheelchairs and sidewalks around Palau are limited.

There is no legislation in place that mandates access to transportation, communication, and public building for persons with disabilities. The only existing legislation is access to government buildings, which requires that there be at least one designated parking space close to the main entrance of each national government building open to the public. These parking spaces shall be clearly designated through use of words or symbols, as being available for use only by persons with disabilities.

Zika Virus: Zika virus is a mosquito-borne illness that can be spread from a pregnant woman to her unborn baby as well as through sexual contact. The CDC has concluded that the Zika virus is a cause of microcephaly and other severe fetal brain defects in some fetuses and babies born to infected mothers. For additional information about Zika, including travel advisories, visit the CDC website.

Health facilities in Palau are adequate for routine medical care, but the availability and quality of services are limited.

Doctors and hospitals may request cash payment at the time of service. Serious medical conditions requiring hospitalizations or evacuation to the United States or elsewhere may cost tens of thousands of dollars. The Belau National Hospital will accept payment by cash, credit or debit card, while private clinics may require cash payment.

We do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare does not apply overseas.

Road Conditions and Safety: While in Palau, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

Many roads in Koror, where the vast majority of the population lives, are in fair condition but have no sidewalks and little or no shoulder on the side of the road. The roadway known as the “Compact Road” that loops around the large island of Babeldaob is in fairly good condition. Secondary roads connecting villages to the Compact Road vary in quality from good to rough.

Drunken drivers are a late-night hazard in Palau.

Traffic Laws: Palau accepts a driver's license issued by a U.S. state or military authority for up to 30 days. After 30 days in Palau, you must obtain a Palauan driver’s license.

The national speed limit is 25 miles per hour, but drivers routinely ignore this limit in remote areas on good-quality roads, and traffic often moves slower in congested areas. Passing slow-moving vehicles is illegal.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. Also, we suggest that you visit the website of the country’s national tourist office and national authority responsible for road safety.

Aviation Safety Oversight: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States other than to Guam by carriers registered in Palau, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Palau’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.

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